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MANILA - The Quezon City government will rent establishments to be used as quarantine facilities in a bid to prevent the spread of COVID-19, Mayor Joy Belmonte said Friday.

Quezon City, home to some 2.9 million people, is the most populous area in Metro Manila. It has recorded 5 cases of the new strain of virus as of Thursday.

• Quezon City now has 5 coronavirus cases: Mayor Belmonte

The city will also prohibit mass gatherings such as sports events, beauty pageants, and fiesta celebrations in compliance with the resolution of a government interagency task force to place Metro Manila under "community quarantine," Belmonte said.

"We will be renting establishments to try to augment quarantine facilities so people do not have to be crowded inside their houses. They can actually be quarantined in a separate facility with their own rooms," she told ANC's Early Edition.

The City Hall will also implement a 4-day work-week for its employees, the mayor said.

• Gov't offices urged to adopt 4-day work week, shifting hours amid coronavirus threat

"We would also require everyone who does not have any business or no important reason to go outside to stay at home," she said.

Government is placing Metro Manila under community quarantine, which will shut land, air and sea travel to and from Metro Manila from March 15 to April 14, except for the delivery of food and essential supplies.

• Metro Manila on ‘community quarantine’ as COVID-19 cases rise

"We request people to not hoard or panic buy. It has already been clarified food shall be available to our people," Belmonte said.

The city will provide medicines, masks, and sanitizers to informal settlers, she added.